The reactivity of the rubber phase was modified using different strategies, including the use of commercial terpolymer grades, modification of E-MA-GMA E-MA-GMA E-MA-GMAGMA terporymers with non-reactive ethene-(methyl acrylate) (E-MA) copolymer.
The results were graded on a modification of functional grading system given in the literature [1].
Dyspnoea was graded using a modification of the Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale [ 20].
The severity of mucositis was graded using a modification of the Macpherson and Pfeiffer histopathological grading system [ 20] previously described [ 21], considering microscopic findings such villus and crypt integrity, inflammatory cell influx, vacuolization and edema.
The extent of CK7-immunoreactive ductulareactionon was semiquantitatively assessed and graded with some modification in a manner analogous to the grading of interface hepatitis in the scoring system of Ishak et al. [ 31]: In addition, proliferation rate in DR was evaluated by calculating the proliferating cell nuclear antigen PCNA) labeling index as described in our previous reports [ 21].
Signs of AMD in those study populations were graded according to (a modification of) the international classification and grading system for AMD [43].
The tumors were graded based on Nottingham Modification of the Bloom-Richardson system on HE-stained sections [ 37, 38].
All tumours used in the marker study were examined by one pathologist (PvD), were classified according to WHO criteria (World Health Organization, 1981) and were graded according to a modification of Bloom and Richardson's method (Elston and Ellis, 1990).
For X associated PPE, pyridoxine 50 mg tds was commenced and the following modifications were made: grade 1 – no modification, grade 2 – X stopped until resolution and then dose reduced by 15%, grade 3 – X stopped until resolution and then dose reduced by 30%, for recurrent grade 3 – X stopped until resolution and then dose reduced by 50%.
Relevant clinical data at diagnosis, such as age, clinical stage (AJCC TNM staging system), histological grade (Nottingham modification of the Bloom and Richardson histological grading system (Bloom and Richardson, 1957; Elston, 1984)) and hormone receptor status were obtained from medical records.
